Viking claimed a 3-3 draw against Bayern München in the Champions League on Tuesday at Lyse Arena, surviving a second-half deficit, a penalty, and a red card for Michael Olise before Herman Haugen scored a late equalizer.
The match in Stavanger delivered one of the most remarkable nights in Norwegian football history. Just seventy-one seconds into the contest, Viking earned an early corner kick that Gianni Stensness converted with a powerful header past Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig. The German giants, massive favorites entering the league-phase fixture, found themselves stunned on foreign turf.
Before the opening whistle, the stadium sang the Viking anthem “En blåe dag” in a scene fitting the occasion. It was the first time Viking played a home fixture in this phase of the Champions League, with all tickets sold out ahead of the 21.00 kickoff. Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim noted before the game that this would be the biggest match in the club’s history, while supporters gathered in public tents outside the stadium hours before the match.
Viking maintained their tactical discipline through the first half. Right before the interval, Erik Botheim delivered a precise through ball that sent Peter Christiansen racing away from his own half. Christiansen slotted past the German defense to double the lead to 2-0, leaving the visiting side trailing at halftime as manager Vincent Kompany looked for answers.
Kane Sparks Bayern Comeback
Kompany responded immediately after the break by making a triple substitution, bringing on Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies, and Ismael Saibari to reshape his lineup. The change paid off quickly when Kristoffer Haugen fouled Konrad Laimer inside the penalty area following a VAR review. Harry Kane stepped up to the spot in the 54th minute, firing low to the right past goalkeeper Arild Østbø to put the visitors on the board.
Kane struck again six minutes later, heading home at the far post from a cross delivered by Joshua Kimmich. The English striker then turned playmaker, orchestrating an attacking sequence that culminated with Luis Diaz sliding the ball into the net in the 71st minute to give Bayern a 3-2 lead.
Zlatko Tripic Provokes Bayern Players During Match
As the pressure mounted, Viking captain Zlatko Tripic proved a persistent thorn in the side of the German defense. Throughout the evening, Tripic engaged in physical duels and verbal gamesmanship that left the visiting players visibly frustrated according to post-match comments.
Max Eberl told VG that He played like an asshole on the pitch. He wanted to win the match and we let ourselves get provoked. He got what he wanted.
The friction boiled over when Michael Olise, already cautioned for a foul on Henrik Heggheim, lost his temper and threw the ball directly into Tripic’s face. Referee Georgi Kabakov issued a second yellow card, resulting in a red card that forced Bayern to play the final twenty minutes with ten men.
Haugen Secures Historic Late Draw
Capitalizing on their numerical advantage, Viking mounted a late offensive surge. In the final minute of regulation, Tripic drove down the left flank and lofted a cross to the back post, where substitute Herman Haugen met the ball to score the equalizer.
I am glad that I trusted my instincts, and then to crush Alphonso Davies in that duel. That is something I am never going to forget. Herman
The 3-3 deadlock grants Viking their first point in the Champions League ligaphase, moving the club to 26th place in the standings with one point after two matches. Bayern München sits in 4th place with four points.